Ten preconceived ideas about hair colouring

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Whether you already have coloured hair or are unsure about taking the plunge, there are some preconceived ideas which can make it hard to know what to think. We have taken a closer look so that you can sort the truth from the myths

1- Colouring damages hair

False. Dyeing your hair does open the hair's cuticles so that pigments can penetrate, and this can dry out the hair fibre. However, colouring treatments are increasingly enriched with nutritive and protective agents. This means that they tend to improve the hair's condition rather than damage it.

2- It can cause hair loss

False. If your hair is falling out in fistfuls, it has nothing to do with colouring products. They are applied to the hair's shaft and not the roots. This means that colouring will not make your hair fall out. Look elsewhere for the cause in order to solve the problem: stress, hormonal imbalance, extreme fatigue and illnesses are all possible factors.

3- Home hair colouring is a risky business

True and false. Although products sold on the high street are safe to use, you will not get the expertise of a colourist as regards adjusting the amount of product and the application time to suit your hair type. This means that it is better to leave it to the professionals.

4- I can opt for any colour

False. This seems logical but it is not the case. For a finish that looks right, choose the shade to suit your complexion and the eye colour. For example, opt for caramel rather than blond if you have a very dark complexion and dark eyes. Your natural hair colour can also be a limiting factor: going from brown to platinum blond is highly inadvisable as it could damage your hair. You should also take your personality and your taste in clothing and everyday make-up into account when choosing your colour. To avoid going for the wrong colour, seek advice from a professional colourist.

5 – You can get 100% coverage of grey hair with a colouring treatment

True. This is possible, as long as you go for permanent colouring which provides better coverage than temporary colouring.

6 – Coloured hair means monthly treatments at the hairdresser's.

Not necessarily. With standard hair dye, monthly upkeep of your roots is essential. However, with tone-on-tone colouring a salon treatment every 6 weeks is enough, as your colour will gradually fade when washing your hair without leaving a very noticeable regrowth line at the roots. The same goes for balayage or streaks, which do not require as much upkeep. Finally, if you have lots of grey hairs, you will most likely need a salon treatment every two weeks.

7- The colour must be even

8- I must use haircare products for coloured hair

True. To hold onto your hair colour's vibrancy and shine so that it looks newly coloured, use treatments which are specifically formulated for coloured hair. They contain less detergents than other products and help to bond the artificial pigments to the hair fibre in the long term.

9. I can't have colouring treatments several times in one month

True and false. The interval between colouring treatments depends on the type of technique used. With standard hair dye you should wait 4 to 5 weeks before going for a new colour so that you do not weaken the hair fibre. However, if the product used is ammonia-free, you can colour your hair again after a fortnight if your hair isn't damaged.

10. It is easier to go from blond to brunette than the other way around

True. It is easier to go darker than lighter, as if you go from brunette to blond your natural colour's highlights will still be there (show through) and are difficult to get rid of. However, women get used to a lighter shade than their natural colour quicker than a darker one.